Headliners

Magic - The game

January 5, 1992|By Barry Cooper of The Sentinel Staff

With so many new players having joined the team, the Magic are all but in a training-camp mode. Before leaving Orlando for this road trip, the Magic conducted two practices in one day. It was the first time coach Matt Guokas put the team through two-a-days since early in the season. Also, the Magic plan to practice today after arriving in Portland. Generally, this would be a day off because the Portland game isn't until Tuesday.

In case you're keeping count, the Magic have the league maximum number of players on the injured list - three. Dennis Scott (inflamed leg), Scott Skiles (fractured wrist) and Otis Smith (pulled calf muscle) are out. If the Magic have another major injury, they could petition the league for permission to place a fourth player on injured reserve.

The Magic certainly knew whom they had to stop. Entering the game, rookie center Dikembe Mutombo and forward Greg Anderson were accounting for 55 percent of the Nuggets' rebounds. Mutombo was ranked eighth in the league in rebounding (14.1 per game) and Anderson ninth (11.4).

With Chris Corchiani starting at point guard, the Magic used yet another starting lineup. It was the eighth lineup the Magic have used in the last 16 games.

There have been published reports that Magic General Manager Pat Williams is earning $750,000 this season - about twice what he earned last year before Rich DeVos bought the team. But DeVos denied that Williams has been given a raise. DeVos, who was at the game, said Williams continues to operate under the terms of his old contract, even though that contract has expired. ''We haven't done a thing. Everything is the same,'' DeVos said. Williams has been seeking a 5-year contract that will pay him about $500,000 a year. DeVos said again that Williams and coach Matt Guokas have nothing to worry about. Guokas' contract expires at the end of the season. ''It's going to get done,'' DeVos said, speaking of new contracts for Williams and Guokas.

The Magic still don't know when forward Scott will be ready to resume play. He is suffering from inflammation in his right leg, and experiences pain whenever he tries to run. ''We just have to wait until it goes away,'' Williams said. Scott tried to practice with the team Thursday in Orlando but had to quit after 20 minutes because of intense pain.

Denver Nuggets forward Walter Davis says the Magic have one of the more attractive uniforms in the league. Davis made the observation in the Nuggets' dressing room while watching clips of a Magic game. He was unaware that a reporter was nearby. ''I just think the pinstripes are very attractive,'' Davis said. When Davis was told that few opposing players had complimented the Magic on their uniforms, Nuggets point guard Chris Jackson piped up. ''Hey, I like them too,'' he said.